The 544-HP Porsche 911 GT1 Evo Was The First Mid-Engined 911

There’s no doubt about it: Porsche is the king of the Nurburgring. Late last week, Porsche announced its 919 Evo hybrid had smashed the Nurburgring all-time record, clocking in at 5:19.545. Because the Porsche has withdrawn the car from endurance racing, such as Le Mans, the 919 no longer had to abide by certain regulations, thus allowing Porsche to rework the car’s aerodynamics. But before the 919 hybrid, there were other endurance racers such as the 911 GT1 Evo, in service from 1996 until 1998.

Porsche has just released this video looking back on the 911 GT1 Evo, the first mid-engined 911. Because of the FIA’s homologation rules, Porsche was required to build 25 road-legal versions, all of which came powered by a twin-turbo boxer engine with 544 hp. Top speed was an impressive 193 mph. It weighed a total of just 2,535 pounds.

While the race-going versions competed in the GT1 class at, for example, Le Mans, the road-legal GT1’s found their way into the hands of very wealthy and prestigious owners. You might find one for up for sale on a rare occasion, but be prepared to pay handsomely. Although no everyone will dig its 996-style headlights, there’s no doubt the 911 GT1 Evo was special and totally looked the part of a street-legal endurance race car.